Harold M. Lambert

“Girl Holding Milk Bottles” – Original 1941 Harold M. Lambert Hand-Colorized Commercial Art Proof

Name: “Girl Holding Milk Bottles” – Original 1941 Harold M. Lambert Hand-Colorized Commercial Art Proof
Brand: Harold M. Lambert
Price: 425.00 USD
Availability: InStock

$425.00 USD

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Title:: "Portrait of Girl Holding Milk Bottle in Front of Door"
Publisher:: Commercial Stock Archive
Type:: Original Commercial Art Proof
Subject:: Young Girl | Dairy Advertising
Artist:: Harold M. Lambert (1917 - 1969)
Era:: Early 20th Century (1900 - 1945)
Date:: January 1, 1941
Origin:: United States
Print type:: Pre-Press Commercial Proof
Material:: Paper
Medium:: Hand-Colorized Photographic Proof
Dimensions:: 13" x 10"
Condition:: Very Good (VG)
Book genre:: Art | Illustrated
Notes:: Getty Editorial #953605582

1941 Hand-Colorized Milk Delivery Scene – Harold M. Lambert Commercial Proof

Collector’s Note

An original hand-colorized commercial proof created from a documented 1941 photograph by Harold M. Lambert. The corresponding black-and-white image is archived by Getty Images, confirming attribution and date.

An original hand-colorized commercial print depicting a young girl standing in a doorway holding two glass milk bottles, an image reflecting the everyday practice of home dairy delivery in mid-century America. The composition captures the domestic warmth and everyday optimism characteristic of early 1940s American commercial photography.

The black-and-white source image appears in the Getty Images archive as Portrait of Girl Holding Milk Bottle in Front of Door, editorial #953605582, credited to Harold M. Lambert with a creation date of January 1, 1941.

Artist Biography

Harold M. Lambert (1917–1969) was an American photographer active from the late 1930s through the 1960s, producing editorial, commercial, and lifestyle imagery during the height of mid-century magazine culture. His work appeared in national publications—including LIFE—as well as promotional and advertising contexts.

Lambert’s photography is marked by clean composition, strong tonal control, and narrative warmth. Surviving hand-colorized commercial proofs reflect the studio practices of pre-war and mid-century advertising production and remain valued within photographic archives and the collector market.

The branded milk bottles suggest the image may have been produced for advertising or promotional use within the dairy industry, reflecting mid-century marketing strategies centered on wholesome domestic imagery.

This example represents a production-era proof prepared prior to mechanical reproduction. Close inspection reveals smooth tonal blending and the absence of halftone dot patterning, consistent with hand-applied pigment rather than later offset printing. The rust-toned border and slightly rough-cut edges indicate handling during mounting or layout preparation.

Historical Note

This commercial art proof was acquired in Joliet, Illinois, historically home to the Gerlach-Barklow Company, one of the leading American art calendar publishers of the early twentieth century. While the print itself is unmarked, the discovery location reflects the broader Midwestern calendar printing industry active during this period.

Size & Condition: 13” x 10” image area (not including border) – Very Good condition; bright colors; small scratches near top and left side edge about halfway down (not tears).d within photographic archives and the collector market.

Framing Appeal

The larger vertical format gives this piece strong visual presence. Its nostalgic dairy theme makes it ideal for farmhouse kitchens, cottage interiors, or collectors of vintage advertising photography. Framed in natural wood or white matting, it becomes a charming mid-century domestic vignette.

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